Tag Archives: Equivalence

The manner in which “no preference” responses have been treated in the E1958 Standard Guide for Sensory Claim Substantiation has evolved between 1998 and the current (2016) guide. For example, the 1998 guide proposes that an interviewer present consumers with a forced-choice preference question, and accept a “no preference” response from consumers who indicate that they do not have a preference.

Should the proposed ingredient substitution proceed? How did the product perform in a meet-or-beat study? These questions can be answered using Equivalence Tests and Non-inferiority Tests, respectively. Equivalence and non-inferiority tests are related. Each test makes use of bounds that are set based on practical considerations, and allows for decision-making within the framework of statistical hypothesis testing. This seminar will give background on equivalence and non-inferiority testing, emphasizing their applicability for sensory applications. Continue reading Equivalence tests and non-inferiority tests for sensory applications→

Sensory professionals seeking guidance in best practices often turn to publications from standards organizations such as ISO and ASTM. A review of guides related to sensory equivalence testing will be presented. In several cases the power approach is prescribed for determining equivalency, but this approach is problematic. It attempts to control beta risk in the difference test and declare samples equivalent when the null hypothesis is retained. Continue reading Best practices in sensory equivalence testing→